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Open source alternatives to Firebase

Firebase is auth, datastore, and hosting as one Google product. Open-source replacements usually start from Postgres or a small BaaS binary.

Supabase is the closest Firebase-shaped stack with Postgres. Appwrite is a broader BaaS. PocketBase is a single binary for small apps. This directory currently lists 7 mapped tools, led by Supabase (100.7k GitHub stars).

Quick comparison

Open-source alternatives to Firebase, ranked by GitHub stars
#ToolStarsLanguageLicense
1Supabase

Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase, offering a rich Postgres database solution tailored for building efficient web, mobile, and AI applications.

100.7kTypeScriptApache License 2.0
2Pocketbase

An open-source, realtime backend system condensed into a single file. It provides instant APIs and a stylish admin UI for managing your apps effortlessly.

57.5kGoMIT License
3Appwrite

Appwrite is an open-source backend server for Web, Mobile, and Flutter developers. It provides a set of easy-to-use REST APIs for managing authentication, databases, storage, and more.

55.7kTypeScriptBSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License
4Parse Server

Parse Server for Node.js and Express, an open source backend as a service framework providing powerful features for mobile and web apps.

21.4kJavaScriptApache License 2.0
5Nakama

A powerful distributed server designed for building social and real-time games and applications, offering features such as matchmaking, leaderboards, and chat.

12.4kGoApache License 2.0
6Convex-backend

The open-source reactive database for app developers, designed to simplify and accelerate the development process.

11.2kRustOther
7Nhost

Nhost is an open-source platform providing a Firebase alternative with GraphQL support.

9.1kTypeScriptMIT License

How these Firebase alternatives differ

Star rank is useful for adoption, not for picking a job. Use the diffs below to match the slice of Firebase you actually need.

  1. Postgres BaaS

    Supabase

    Auth, storage, and realtime on Postgres. The usual โ€œopen source Firebaseโ€ answer in this directory.

  2. Self-hosted BaaS

    Appwrite

    APIs for auth, databases, storage, and functions. Pick Appwrite when you want a packaged backend, not a Postgres product.

  3. Single binary backend

    Pocketbase

    SQLite, auth, and realtime in one file. Use it for small apps, not a Firebase-scale multi-tenant product.

All open-source alternatives to Firebase

Frequently asked questions

What is the best open source alternative to Firebase?

Supabase if you want Postgres. Appwrite if you want a self-hosted BaaS. PocketBase if you want one binary. Parse Server and Nhost cover older or GraphQL-shaped stacks.

Can I self-host an alternative to Firebase?

Yes. Supabase, Appwrite, PocketBase, Nhost, and Parse Server can be self-hosted.

Are these Firebase alternatives free?

The software is open source. Cloud projects from the same teams are optional.

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